Dutchtown coach Benny Saia says Arkansas takes back offers

Dutchtown coach Benny Saia says Arkansas takes back offers

Dutchtown’s McBride, Mosley no longer on Arkansas pledge list

Dutchtown High running back Torrance Mosley and wide receiver Corey McBride are suddenly looking for a college destination and Griffins coach Benny Saia is not happy about it.

Saia said he received a call late Tuesday from University of Arkansas coaches informing him that the school did not plan to honor the commitments of Mosley and McBride.

Both players committed to the Razorbacks during a July visit.

“I didn’t even ask why, I just hung up,” Saia said. “Colleges get mad at kids when they commit, but then you have something like this.

“This is second year in a row this has happened with a player from this area. You’re only as good as your word, and right now theirs doesn’t mean much.”

A year ago, Denham Springs running back Kaleb Blanchard committed to Arkansas over the summer but was later informed his commitment wouldn’t be honored in part because of the coaching change that saw former Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema take over the program.

Blanchard eventually signed with South Alabama.

Once word Arkansas wouldn’t honor Mosley and McBride’s commitments came out on Wednesday, Arkansas followers shot back on Twitter saying both players were dropped because of academic issues. Saia said both players are actually better off academically than when they committed and said both are on track to be NCAA qualifiers.

“They’re in better place now than they were when Arkansas took them as commitments,” Saia said. “They both have a high enough ACT score. One has a 19 and the other has a 22. All both of them need to do is make a C in one class, and they’ll be qualified.”

Saia said Mosley and McBride are set to visit TCU this weekend and noted a number of state schools have remained in contact with both players and the Dutchtown coaches.

Spear commits to Nicholls

Spear was a three-year starter for the Yellow Jackets and earned first-team All-District 4-5A and All-Livingston Parish honors. He also participated in the U.S. Army Red Stick Bowl.

As a senior, Spear had 37 solo tackles, 24 assists, four tackles for loss, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Spear also had scholarship offers from Columbia, Brown, Air Force and Henderson State. He has a 3.83 grade point average and scored a 28 on the ACT.